The Steinbach Minor Hockey Association (SMHA) is once again running a raffle to help make the season more affordable for families.
This association-wide fundraiser gives players the chance to cover 100 per cent of their registration fees.
“Any ticket you buy from that child is directly going back to the child for their hockey,” says SMHA Vice President Ryan Canada. “Then on top of it, any additional tickets that are sold are going to help out with ice times, equipment, all those kinds of thing that we're going to be using it for, and it's a great chance to win a prize.”
This year’s prizes include:
-
First Prize: $5,000 cash, sponsored by HyLife
-
Second Prize: $1,000 cash and a $1,000 service gift card, sponsored by Harvest Honda
-
Third Prize: A smoker valued at $1,500, sponsored by The Lumber Zone
-
30 additional cash or gift card prizes
-
Early Bird Prize: Two Winnipeg Jets tickets, sponsored by Golden West
This is the second year for the raffle, and Canada says the response last year was encouraging.
“We had roughly 170 kids signed up, so this year we're hoping about the same. Some kids will sell more than others, but you will start seeing kids come to the doors and asking to buy raffle tickets.”
He adds the fundraiser also drives new registrations.
“Any new registrant into minor hockey, it's a good way for kids to make friends to learn teamwork. So, for any kid that may be interested to play hockey, that maybe has thought it's been too expensive in the past, this raffle definitely makes it more affordable for families to register their kids for minor hockey.”
Parents must register their child before picking up tickets.
The Early Bird deadline is September 22, with the draw on September 26. The raffle officially closes October 30, and the final draw will be held November 6.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchased through participating Steinbach Minor Hockey players or at A&W in Steinbach.
With files from Carly Koop